More than half of NZers say too many cows - Greenpeace poll

A Horizon opinion poll commissioned by Greenpeace reveals that 52 percent of Kiwis think are too many cows for our waterways to cope with.

David Parker has gone on record saying New Zealand had "too many cows" and that farmers may have to reduce herd numbers under proposed new waterway pollution rules.

"It’s great to hear the Government reflecting the concerns of so many New Zealanders that there are too many cows for our waterways to cope with." says Greenpeace sustainable agriculture campaigner Gen Toop.

The Horizon Research report also showed that only 16% of people asked felt that cow numbers could continue to grow.

In a breakdown of political parties 66 percent of New Zealand First voters, 56 percent of Labour voters and 90 percent of Green party supporters felt there were too many cows.

"National leader Simons Bridges was on the radio this morning trying to kick up a fuss about the Minister’s comments. He’s clearly out of touch with his base," says Toop.

Among National voters polled 40 percent thought there were too many cows. Only 20 percent of National voters thought the herd should continue to expand. 29 percent of National voters think that there are about the right number of cows, and 11% were unsure.

"Our polling found that twice as many National voters think there are too many cows than those who feel numbers can continue to grow."